Learning paths

Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel

Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, MA,has studied and practiced Buddhism since 1985 under the guidance of Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, now her husband. As Rinpoche’s first Western student, Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel has played an integral role in helping his bring Buddhism to the West.

After she spent many years in solitary retreat, Namgyel became the Retreat Master at Longchen Jigme Samten Ling, a retreat center in southern Colorado founded by Rinpoche. She has edited two of Rinpoche’s books—It’s Up to You and Light Comes Through—and wrote The Power of an Open Question. She regularly teaches throughout the United States and Europe.

What People are Saying about Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel

“She understands her Western audiences/readers. She reaches out gently to them, with compassion born of 25 years of Buddhist practice. She anticipates the challenges that will arise for them as they attempt to drastically change their mindsets.”—New Age Retailer